lowdown

'Don't Leave Me This Way' was originally released as an album track in 1975 by Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes (Teddy Pendergrass on lead vocals). Thelma Houston had a massive hit with it in 1976/77. Then the Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes version was released as a single later in 1977 (another big hit). I'm really not sure what The Communards version was all about, but feel, groove and vocal quality were not on the arrangement agenda that day. Well, compared to the two above versions (IMO, of course).

Are you telling us that you, the Organ(ist), Stop(ped) passing wind? If so, it must have been a relief all round.

I have quite a few regular albums and I'm constantly listening to music, but this bunch gets the most plays, I suppose. Mountain Dance - Dave Grusin Back To Oakland - Tower Of Power The Copland Collection - Aaron Copland The Planets - Holst AWB - The Average White Band Aja - Steely Dan West Side Story - Dave Grusin The Essential Vaughan Williams Collection... L.A. is my Lady - Frank Sinatra Caribe - Michel Camilo Big Band

Glenn Miller. Luther Vandross. Louis Johnson. Also Al Jarreau was a real choker for me.

My version is the old one as well, about 7/8 years old. There are bigger and better around these days, but CHH's do the job very well with a little bit of programming help.

Anthony Jackson & Steve Gadd.

I like it when people put their own spin on it... 51:54 - Boogie On Reggae Woman...Soul & Groove!!

One of my favourite albums (still). Chock full of great musicians, including a few Latin heavy weight names. The arrangements are terrific as well. 👍

Louis Johnson and John 'JR' Robinson. Iconic sessions during the 70's and 80's

Seriously good band. Yes, Jorge (George) Casas sadly passed away. Terrific musician and was her MD for years. Here is George in a live Vegas show back in 2003.

Haha...CH Horns, I think they are great (and I still use them for non Classical stuff). Here is a track I wrote for the Basschat Comp five years ago using those horns (with some small, additional layering).

Sample Libraries have come along way, price wise, and with the amount of articulations available in each patch. Great mock ups are used all the time these days on TV, even the top film composers use Orchestral sample libraries for the composition process. This is because they can keep the director involved every step of the way before the final scoring sessions. The director then has a good idea of what cues are going to sound like, and sometimes they re-cut the film to work around the music. All this saves time before the Orchestra is assembled for the sessions. The link below is a great resource in programming realism into Strings, Brass and Woodwinds. Worth half an hour of watching and listening. Although he is using a film score cue for the demonstration, the same principles apply to Jazz/pop/funk, when programming.

A good freebie doing the rounds at the moment. Plenty to experiment with. https://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/bundles/komplete-start/

You never know until you try, regarding arrangements. I think stabs would work well, should give the track a slight lift? And defiantly within that particular groove and style. The second track, with the heavier, ambient, string section, could do with a smaller section patch. Chamber size , or something more dry and smaller (disco size, 4 or 6 stgs). That Symphony size seems over the top and out of context for me. Just my opinion of course, and like I said earlier, nothing to lose (other than time) reworking arrangements. Good stuff, though. I enjoyed the listen. ... 👍

Call the Stage Door of any Theatres in the City/Town of the gig you are playing. They usually have lists and recommended Hotel/Digs numbers from touring acts and musicians. This Facebook page sometimes comes in handy. https://www.facebook.com/groups/6902586146/

Give us a clue, Bazz... Is it the promo for 'Men At Work'?

Very nice, but I can't see the Brass section?

Great stuff. Nice and fluid with a lovely tone as well... 👍

Back in the 80's and early 90's, just about every hotel/function band would be playing this. Back pup on your Wal, and then it was detached, tight, staccato city. Certainly a great work out to nail the feel.

Haha, there is a shadow for a lower string... I presume that's were you play any ghost notes.

It is now. Six pieces for a tenner.

That sounds like Terry Gregory. He is/was an upside down lefty (Bassist, not Politician).

Yeah, very sad news. His talent aside, I also loved a lot of those huge arrangements that went hand in hand with The Walker Brothers. RIP

Maybe try and get a gig with 'Latvian Radio Big Band'...? They're really busy, plus judging by the OP video, there are a few grumpy, moody's in there as well.